Shocking new today coming out of Gainesville (FL). University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer resigned today sighting health reasons.
Meyer said he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.
"Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision," Foley said. "But the bottom line is that coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship."
The Jacksonville Observer is reporting the reason for the resignation is because of a heart condition. Just after the Gators loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game game, Meyer was admitted to Shands Hospital, for what was reported as dehydration at that time. A source from the NFL is reporting that Meyer informed the team of a heart problem being the reason for the resignation. The Huffington Post is reporting that Meyer's heart condition came to light during the the hospital stay in November.
In 1988 an arachnoid cyst was discovered on his brain while on the coaching staff at Notre Dame. While the cyst was determined to be non-life threatening, stress could cause Meyer to have severe head pain.
The Gators will have Meyer for the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati but will then head into next season with Meyer, Tim Tebow and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, who is now the head coach at Louisville.
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It is now being reported that Urban Meyer is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow in New Orleans, sight of the Sugar Bowl. Meyer is expected to announce that he will be staying at the University of Florida in some capacity, just not as head football coach. It is now being speculated that University of Florida officials have known for sometime that this was coming down the road due to the length and completeness of the e-mail that Florida officials sent to members of the the media.
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Everyone already knows this but I figured I would update the blog with the news. Urban Meyer has decided he will not be resigning as head coach from the University of Florida. He will be taking a one year leave of absence from head coaching duties. Steve Addazio, offensice coordinator, will be the interim head coach. Meyer is expected to be back on the sidelines in 2011 if all health issues are worked out and he is deemed fit to resume his duties.
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Tebow leaving. Strong gone. Now Meyer resigns. Could be a long year next year for gators and their fans.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Florida should hire Bobby Bowden for one year since FSU didn't give him his wish of coaching for one more year. That way Bobby can go out with a solid winning record at a top university.
ReplyDeleteWhats next for UF? Have you heard anything yet about who they are going to persue to replace Meyer? And another question, if they knew this was coming down why let Charlie Strong get away?
ReplyDeleteIf they knew and let Coach Strong leave, that's a real slap in the face to him.
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ReplyDeleteAnyone who is a Gator fan needs to go into 2010 with lower expectations than in past years.
First of all, I want to say that I am a huge Tim Tebow fan. That being said, Tebow will not be the biggest loss for the Gators in 2010. It will be huge, but Florida will have a very talented QB ready to take over the offense. Unfortunately for John Brantley, He may not have the talent around him. Rumors are that the Pouncey twins are leaving early for the NFL, just as All Star Tight End Hernandez.
The biggest Gator losses will be on the defensive side of the ball. Losing Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong is the biggest. With Strong leaving, It is almost certain underclassmen like All American DB Joe Hayden along with Amad Black and Carlos Dunlap, will join Brandon Spikes entering the NFL draft.
Band wagon Gator fans could be in for a rude awakening in 2010.
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ReplyDeleteLooks like everyone made a great decision with Urban Meyer's health. Take a year away from all the stress of being the Head Coach at a top Program. Get healthy and come back to continue to be one of the top coaches in the Nation.
He can continue to be involved in recruiting, monitor what is going on with the team as an extra set of eyes, and be revitalized for his return.